Microfilm handling system with film-held card

ABSTRACT

Writing, exposing, processing, and projecting of microimages in microfilm aperture cards is advantageously achieved without physical movement of the card itself. The system consists of a drawer assembly, a film plane locator, a shuttle assembly, a drive mechanism, and associated optics. A shuttle is constrained to move along a straight line and mount the projection lens and a photodetector which are vertically alignable with respect to the microfilm which is held in the film plane locator. The shuttle drive mechanism consists of a pair of oppositely rotating cams with associated followers which align the detector or projection lens or a processor access slot with the microfilm. The processor is a heating element mounted on a pivot arm and a backup pad.

United States Patent [191 Festa et al. i

[111 3,822,094 July 2,1974

[ MICROFILM HANDLING SYSTEM WITH FILM-HELD CARD [73] Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories,

Incorporated, Murray Hill, NJ.

22 Filed: July 23, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 381,712

[52] US. Cl 355/27, 95/14, 240/1.3,

Kuehnle et al 355/5 X 3,747,493 7/1973 Glidden et a1. 95/14 X Primary Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. E. Graves 5 7] ABSTRACT Writing, exposing, processing, and projecting of microimages in microfilm aperture cards is advantageously achieved without physical movement of the card itself. The system consists of a drawer assembly, a film plane locator, a shuttle assembly, a drive mechanism, and associated optics. A shuttle is constrained to move along a straight line and mount the projection lens and a photodetector which are vertically alignable with respect to the microfilm which is held in the film plane locator. The shuttle drive mechanism consists of a pair of oppositely rotating cams with associated followers which align the detector or projection lens or a processor access slot with the microfilm. The processor is a heating element mounted on a pivot arm and a backup pad.

11 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJIIL 2mm 3822.094

sum o1.ur10

FIG.

PATENTEDJUL 219M 3.822.094

sum 05 0f 10 PROJECTION LAMP sum near 10 PATENTEDJUL 2 1974 mmmm 2:914 3322.094 sum '09 [1F 10 FIG. 7

MICROFILM HANDLING SYSTEM WITH FILM-HELD CARD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to microfilm handling systems; and in particular to such systems which advantageously maintain the microfilm essentially stationary while being exposed, developed, and projected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Equipment which employs a laser or other scanning device to impart an image to microfilm is finding increasing use. In such equipment it is generally necessary to first receive the image imparting signal onto the microfilm then in some fashion develop the microfilm and thereafter, project the microimages or cause them to be retransmitted by a further scanning of the microfilm.

In all of these operations, it has heretofore been the general practice to manipulate the microfilm with respe'ct to work stations. Moving the film from one work station to the next necessarily requires an accuracy of.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention broadly involves an advantage combining at least three general mechanisms which are brought to bear sequentially to perform the functions of latent image placement, image development, and image projection upon a microfilm held stationary.

Pursuant to one aspect of the invention a film plane is defined and located with respect to an optical scanning path'and to a shuttle mechanism which mounts the work stations and moves them sequentially to and then away from the stationary film.

The film is advantageously mounted in a microfilm aperture card which in turn is held on a flat aperture plate. This plate and associated slide mechanisms can be moved from a first position remote from the shuttle where the car can be loaded, to a second fixed position which accurately locates the film on the film plane 10- cator with respect to the shuttle movement.

The shuttle is activated pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, by a pair of cams which alternately drive a pivotally mounted shuttle drive arm between three positions respectively associated with the work stations.

The invention and its further objects, features, and advantages will be better understood from a reading of the description to follow of a detailed embodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the micrographics terminal;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of part of the shuttle assembly and the cam drive mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the drawer assembly and part of the film clamping mechanism;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the drawer and clamping mechanism prior to indexing and clamping of the film aperture card;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the drawer and clamping mechanism with the drawer closed and located and the film aperture card indexed and clamped;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective of the projection mode of operation showing part of the shuttle assembly and the associated projection components;

FIG. 6A is a side view of part of the film handling system in the write or expose mode of operation;

FIG. 6B is a side view of part of the film handling system in the process (develop) mode of operation;

FIG. 6C is a side view of part of the film handling system in the project mode of operation;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the drive train mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the film plane block and the processor backup pad assembly; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the heater developer head, ann, and floating mounting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS The invention herein-below described can be advantageously employed in connection with the micrographics system described in the US. Pat. application of A. D. Berg-R. J. Cormier-J. S. Courtney-Pratt Ser. No. 381,713, likewise assigned to applicants assignee and filed of even date herewith. This patent application is, to the extent relative, hereby incorporated by reference.

In a first illustrative embodiment pictured in FIG. I, a typical housing design for the micrographics terminal generally designated as is depicted. This embodiment is included to indicate the apparatus used or controlled by the operator and to designate the relative location of said apparatus and controls. A glass plate and a page hold-down door 102 is located at one end of the transceiver to accommodate a page 107 (covering theglass plate) that is to be copied in the copy mode of operation. A rear projection screen 1103, enclosed in a projection screen housing 104, is used for viewing a microimage when the transceiver is in the project mode of operation. A card insertion drawer 10 is advantageously located directly below the rear projection screen and is used to facilitate insertion and removal of a film aperture card. The drawer provides an exterior station when open and a stationary interior work station when closed. A control panel 106 is provided obviously to control the operations of the trans ceiver. The transportless film handling system is enclosed in housing 101.

FILM HANDLING SYSTEM FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the shuttle and cam drive portion of the film handling system. An aperture card, containing a piece of microfilm 111 of the type that is dry developed by heat, is inserted into the drawer, as shown in FIG. 3 and moved thereby to the location indicated for the film where it is indexed and clamped in place by the spring fingers 32. When a page is to be copied, for example, a signal is sent to operate cam 61 which moves the photodetector 42 into position above the film plane, FIG. 2. Upon completion of the exposing process, the second cam 65 operates bringing the heater-developer head 55 in contact with and developing the film. The heater-developer then returns to its rest position and cam 61 operates to position the project lens 43 and project mirror 44 so as to project the freshly processed image upon the rear projection viewing screen 103.

DRAWER The overall drawer mechanism 10, FIG. 3, serves as the film interface between the operator and the film handling system. Card indexing guides 17 and a pair of spring clips 18 enable the operator to quickly and accurately insert a film aperture card 110 into position in the drawer. The car is held on the top surface of a floating plate 16 which is constrained to move along a straight line by guides 15. Attached to the floating plate is a pin 21 which is free tomove in a slot 20a which is elongated in the direction of movement of drawer 10 and is located in the drawer base 20, FIG. 4A. Aligned with pin 21 is pin 22 which is attached to the drawer base. These two pins are connected by a tension spring 23 for biasing plate 16 between base 20 and stop 34. The drawer mechanism 10 is supported by drawer slides 13 and 14. The drawer handle 11 is linked with the latch 12 to provide a means of unlatching the darawen It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the particular drawer configuration used is dependent upon the particular film format utilized. Drawer 10 as described herein is readily used in a micrographics system wherein only one image is copied onto a given piece of microfilm. However, a different type of drawer could be utilized in which the film is manually indexed to any one of a number of possible positions. In this manner up to eight images could be recorded onto one piece of microfilm. Another drawer configuraiton might be utilized for roll film. Each such type of drawer, of course, would require a different form of film clamping means.

FILM PLANE BLOCK The film plane locator 30 provides the film plane and is the interface between the optical system and the film handling system.'The film plane must be perpendicular to the optional axis to maintain uniform focus over the entire film 111. The aperture 30a in film plane locator 30 to allow the passage of light to the film should ideally be nolarger than the image, yet large enough to accommodate the pad 92 of the film processor.

CARD CLAMP MECHANISM The card clamp mechanism utilizes a pair of spring fingers 32 to clamp the film aperture card 110 near the four corners of the image by means of four contact points 33, FIG. 4A, which are mounted on the spring fingers. The clamp block 31, to which the spring fingers are mounted, is spring loaded open approximately relative to the film plane block 30 to facilitate entry of a film aperture card 110.

After the film aperture card is inserted, the operator closes the drawer until an audible click indicates the drawer has latched. Meanwhile, as the drawer closes, the floating plate 16 moves to butt the stop 34 which prevents further inward movement of the floating plate, thereby accurately positioning the film in its proper location. At this point, the drawer has still not latched shut; therefore the drawer base 20 continues to move inward, pemiitted by the expansion of spring 23 and the presence of slot 200. The activating tab 24 comes in contact with the activating arm 35 causing pin 36a to be forced downward in pin guide slot 350 and rotating the linkage 36 and clamp block 31, which are rigidly fastened together, about pivot 37. This action causes the spring fingers 32 to clamp down on the previously indexed film aperture card 110, FIG. 4B. Simultaneously, tension is applied to return spring 25 loading the mechanism for unclamping. Gap 39 provides clearance for the drawer base 20 to further move in and latch. Upon release of the latch 12, the procedure is reversed and the aperture card is unclamped prior to the outward movement of the floating plate 16.

SHUTTLE The foundation of the film handling system is the shuttle support plate 41 FIG. 5 which is supported above the main optical bench by several posts, not shown. The shuttle 40 is attached beneath the support plate by means of an accurate ball bearing slide, not shown, and it movement effected by the drive mechanism. To the shuttle 40 are mounted most of the moving pieces of the work stations plus actuators to effect the motion of the remaining moving parts. The three work stations in order of their application in the receive mode are photocell, film processor and projector, corresponding respectively to the functions of image detection or film exposure, film development, and image projection.

PI-IOTOCELL WORK STATION The photocell 42 is located in the position shown in FIG. 6A which is mechanically neutral for the drive mechanism, i.e., when cams 61 and 65 are in their rest positions (neither follower engaging its associated cam). This locates the photocell 42 over the film plane. Since the film processing mechanism and projector both include components (processor pad 92 and projection mirror 44) which are located beneath the film and thus obstruct the beam from the laser 85, it is necessary that the photocell 42 be positioned over the film plane whenever the laser light is to be scanning the film. Modulated laser light will scan the film in the receive and copy mode in order to expose the film with a latent image. Laser light will also scan the film in the transmit mode.

PROCESSOR WORK STATION The processor work station is made up of two basic assemblies, the heater-developer assembly and the backup pad assembly. The assembly above the film plane is the heater-developer 51 which supplies the heat at the proper temperature for the proper time to develop the film. The heater-developer head 55, FIG. 9 is comprised of a heating element and thermocouple (not shown) and a platen 53. The heating element is embedded in a material which when heated will not give off any gas deleterious to nearby optics. Control of the platen temperature is effected by means of a thermocouple, not shown, located inside the heaterdeveloper assembly nearby the platen surface working in conjunction with the heater controller (not shown). In order to exhibit minimum thermal inertia, the heater is made hollow with thin walls. The head 55 is fastened to the end of swinging arm 52 by a mounting device 56. This device utilizes four compression springs 54 that permit the heater head to float when it is pressed against the film and backup pad, so that it may level itself to the film and thus apply heat uniformly across the surface of the film 111. The'arm 52 is pivoted on the shuttle support plate 41, as in FIG. 6B, and is caused to move by a train of gears 58 which is actuated by a rack 57. The rack is driven by a pusher 49 mounted to the shuttle 40.

The assembly below the film plane is the backup pad assembly 90, FIG. 8, which provides support to the film and prevents film distortion when the heater platen 53 is pressed against the film. The backup pad 92 is similarly activated by a pusher 99 mounted on the shuttle 40. When the sliding block 95, guided by tongues 95a in grooves 95b is pushed in, the pin 91 mounted beneath the film plane, cams the pad arm 93 upward so that the pad 92 itself is positioned beneath the film. Since pushers 49 and 99 are not connected to the rack 57 and rod 97 respectively, which they push, both the heater and backup pad are returned to their rest position by springs (not shown). When the drive is activated-for the projection cycle, the pushers 49 and 99 separate from the end of the racks 57 and 97 respectively, so that the film processing mechanism is unaffected by the action of the project cycle. Pushers 49 and 99 have adjustable bumpers 49a and 99a, respectively, for accurate adjustment.

DRIVE The requirements for the drive for the shuttle have been described in connection with the three work stations. Because of the relatively long travel distances involved to accommodate the projection lens 43 plus the accurate timing required for the heater developer 51 a cam drive mechanism 60 is utilized therein. The cam drive mechanism also satisfies the need to minimize shock loads on the entire transceiver during film han dling system actuation. The two cams 61 and 65 and associated pulleys 62 and 66 rotate on cam supports 63 and 67 respectively (FIG. 6A). The shuttle drive arm 47 is pivotable on the drive arm block 48 and is connected to the shuttle by the drive link 45. The shuttle drive arm has a pin 46 which rides in a slot 45a on the drive link allowing for movement in both directions of the shuttle 40. The movement of the cams 61 and 65 is transferred to the shuttle drive arm 47 by cam followers 64 and 68 respectively mounted coaxiallyon opposite sides of shuttle drive area 47. Each cam includes appropriately located and directed arc-shaped grooves 61a and 65a to accommodate the associated follower and allow the shuttle drive arm 47 to move within the periphery of the neutral cam without interfering therewith. Terminal system logic plus override microswitches ensure that a cam can be actuated only when the other cam is in its noninterfering neutral position.

It is desirable that shuttle 40 be held firmly in a sta- 6O The drive train mechanism 70 provides the drive for the associated cam drive mechanism 60 FIG. 6. Power for the drive train mechanism is supplied by a motor 71 which is capable of providing the maximum drive torque required by the particular cam design utilized. Timing belts 75, 81 and 82 (FIG. 7), are used to provide quiet, nonslip drive operations. Clutches 76 and 77 are one-revolution devices, which when triggered by an electrical signal, go around once and stop at their initial angular position. This permits the motor 71 to be turned on and left to run, with the cams actuated upon logic-generated command to provide single-cycle operation. For this heater-developer cam 65, a single cycle is one full 360 rotation of the cam. For the projector cam 61 a 1:2 gear reduction (provided by gear train 78) after the clutch 76 provides 180? rotation of the cam per cycle. This provides for two stable positions of the shuttle 40 at the photocell, FIG. 6A, with both cams in the neutral position and at the project lens, FIG. 6C, with the heater-developer cam 65 in its neutral position and the projector cam 61 rotated 180 to its high dwell. A flexible coupling 72 and a torque-limiting slip clutch 73 between the motor 71 and the main drive pulley 74 provide for minor motor misalignment and protect the system should jamming occur.

While the transportless film handling system of the present invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the proposed invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A handling system for a latent image receiving medium, comprising:

holding means for receiving said medium at an exterior station of a housing, and for guidably positioning said medium to a stationary interior work station;

exposing means for imparting a latent image to said medium;

processing means for developing said latent image;

projection means for projecting the developed said image;

shuttle means for sequentially bringing said processor means and said projection means into proximity with said medium while said medium is stationary at said interior work station; and

drive means for driving said shuttle means along a straight path which includes means for actuating said processor means and said projection means.

2. Apparatus pursuant to claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises:

a drawer slightly mounted in said housing for movement between said exterior and interior stations;

a stop for positioning said drawer at said interior work station; and

clamping means for clamping said medium in posi tion on said drawer after said stop has been contacted and said medium has become stationary.

3. Apparatus pursuant to claim 2 wherein said drawer further comprises:

a drawer base including an end opening;

a plurality of guides rigidly attached to said drawer base;

a plate riding in said guides for in-line movement in the same direction as said straight path, said plate including cutout at one end which is coincident with said drawer base end opening, the surrounding top surface of said plate constituting a film plane locator;

spring-clip means for holding said medium in place upon said plate.

4. Apparatus pursuant to claim 3, further comprising:

a slot in said drawer base elongated in the direction of movement of said drawer;

a first pin attached to the underside of said plate and extending through said slot;

a second pin attached to the underside of said base in alignment with said first pin; and

elastic means connecting said pins for biasing said plate between said base and said stop thereby to hold said plate stationary when at said interior work station.

5. Apparatus pursuant to claim 4 wherein said clamping means comprises:

spring-finger means; and

means including an activating tab attached to said drawer base, operating said spring finger means after said plate is halted by said stop, whereby said spring-finger means are moved into contact with said medium, clamping same against said film locator means.

6. Apparatus pursuant to claim 5, wherein said image receiving medium is of a type that is dry developable by application of heat, and wherein said processor means comprises: a

heater means for contact heating said medium; and

means including a backup pad responsive to shuttle movement by extending through said film plane aperture beneath said medium and supporting said medium when said heater means makes contact therewith.

7. Apparatus puruant to claim 6, wherein said heater means comprises:

a heater head having a platen mounted on the exterior front surface thereof; and

application means mounting said heater head and platen, for bringing same into proximity with said medium.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said application means comprises:

an arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof;

self-leveling mounting means for connecting said heater head to said arm for effecting the leveling of said platen relative to said medium, thereby to disperse heat uniformly to said medium; and

means for rotating said pivotally mounted arm to bring said heater head'and platen into proximity with said medium.

9. Apparatus pursuant to claim 2, wherein said shuttle means comprises:

means for mounting said projector means;

a fixed support plate for supporting said shuttle means for movement along a straight path comprising a film exposing station, a film developing station, and a film projecting station;

mounting means for pivotally mounting said processor means to said shuttle support plate; and

an access in said shuttle means disposed in alignment with said medium when said shuttle is at said exposing station, thereby to provide access to said medium by pivoting of said processor means.

10. Apparatus pursuant to claim 9, wherein said drive means comprises first and second sequentially operable camming means for imparting linear motion to said shuttle means;

.first and second cam followers contacting respectively said first and second camming means;

a shuttle drive arm pivotally mounted at one end to a fixed point to which said cam followers are centrally attached; and

a drive link for connecting said shuttle drive arm to said shuttle,

whereby rotational motion of said camming means is transferred to a lateral motion of said shuttle.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said camming means further comprises:

a processor means cam for effecting movement of said shuttle to position said access above said medium and to bring said processor means into proximity therewith;

a projection means cam operative approximately out of phase with said processor cam, for effecting movement of the shuttle in the direction op-' posite to that produced by said processor;

an arc-shaped groove in one face of said processor cam, to accommodate the cam follower means for said processor cam whereby said shuttle arm is free to move within the periphery of said processor cam without interfering therewith; and

an arc-shaped groove in said projection means cam to accommodate said shuttle drive arm to move within the periphery of said projection means cam while moving in the opposite direction, without interfering therewith. 

1. A handling system for a latent image receiving medium, comprising: holding means for receiving said medium at an exterior station of a housing, and for guidably positioning said medium to a stationary interior work station; exposing means for imparting a latent image to said medium; processing means for developing said latent image; projection means for projecting the developed said image; shuttle means for sequentially bringing said processor means and said projection means into proximity with said medium while said medium is stationary at said interior work station; and drive means for driving said shuttle means along a straight path which includes means for actuating said processor means and said projection means.
 2. Apparatus pursuant to claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises: a drawer slightly mounted in said housing for movement between said exterior and interior stations; a stop for positioning said drawer at said interior work station; and clamping means for clamping said medium in position on said drawer after said stop has been contacted and said medium has become stationary.
 3. Apparatus pursuant to claim 2 wherein said drawer further comprises: a drawer base including an end opening; a plurality of guides rigidly attached to said drawer base; a plate riding in said guides for in-line movement in the same direction as said straight path, said plate including cutout at one end which is coincident with said drawer base end opening, the surrounding top surface of said plate constituting a film plane locator; spring-clip means for holding said medium in place upon said plate.
 4. Apparatus pursuant to claim 3, further comprising: a slot in said drawer base elongated in the direction of movement of said drawer; a first pin attached to the underside of said plate and extending through said slot; a second pin attached to the underside of said base in alignment with said first pin; and elastic means connecting said pins for biasing said plate between said base and said stop thereby to hold said plate stationary when at said interior work station.
 5. Apparatus pursuant to claim 4 wherein said clamping means comprises: spring-finger means; and means including an activating tab attached to said drawer base, operating said spring finger means after said plate is halted by said stop, whereby said spring-finger means are moved into contact with said medium, clamping same against said film locator means.
 6. Apparatus pursuant to claim 5, wherein said image receiving medium is of a type that is dry developable by application of heat, and wherein said processor means comprises: heater means for contact heating said medium; and means including a backup pad responsive to shuttle movement by extending through said film plane aperture beneath said medium and supporting said medium when said heater means makes contact therewith.
 7. Apparatus puruant to claim 6, wherein said heater means comprises: a heater head having a platen mounted on the exterior front surface thereof; and application means mounting said heater head and platen, for bringing same into proximity with said medium.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said application means comprises: an arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof; self-leveling mounting means for connecting said heater head to said arm for effecting the leveling of said platen relative to said medium, thereby to disperse heat uniformly to said medium; and means for rotating said pivotally mounted arm to bring said heater head and platen into proximity with said medium.
 9. Apparatus pursuant to claim 2, wherein said shuttle means comprises: means for mounting said projector means; a fixed support plate for supporting said shuttle means for movement along a straight path comprising a film exposing station, a film developing station, and a film projecting station; mounting means for pivotally mounting said processor means to said shuttle support plate; and an access in said shuttle means disposed in alignment with said medium when said shuttle is at said exposing station, thereby to provide access to said medium by pivoting of said processor means.
 10. Apparatus pursuant to claim 9, wherein said drive means comprises first and second sequentially operable camming means for imparting linear motion to said shuttle means; first and second cam followers contacting respectively said first and second camming means; a shuttle drive arm pivotally mounted at one end to a fixed point to which said cam followers are centrally attached; and a drive link for connecting said shuttle drive arm to said shuttle, whereby rotational motion of said camming means is transferred to a lateral motion of said shuttle.
 11. Apparatus in accordancE with claim 10, wherein said camming means further comprises: a processor means cam for effecting movement of said shuttle to position said access above said medium and to bring said processor means into proximity therewith; a projection means cam operative approximately 180* out of phase with said processor cam, for effecting movement of the shuttle in the direction opposite to that produced by said processor; an arc-shaped groove in one face of said processor cam, to accommodate the cam follower means for said processor cam whereby said shuttle arm is free to move within the periphery of said processor cam without interfering therewith; and an arc-shaped groove in said projection means cam to accommodate said shuttle drive arm to move within the periphery of said projection means cam while moving in the opposite direction, without interfering therewith. 